The Ultimate Vass (Footwear) Thread (Pictures, reviews, sizing, etc...)

[Journeyman]

What do you mean by "Vass charm"

Vass sometimes have an "interesting" way of interpreting orders so that you what you think you ordered is not always what you get.

I suppose that it's all part of the charm of ordering from a relatively small, Hungarian shoemaker!

 

[Mr. Six]

Yeah, it's a bit of a joke in this thread that occasionally the folks making the shoes don't conform exactly to what's on the order sheet. Some have even reported Mr. Vass deciding that the order was wrong and making the shoes the way that he thinks they should be made. We've collectively decided to treat this as charming, which it mostly is.

 

[Concordia]

Any recent prices on re-soling at the factory?

 

[bdavro23]

Having had a Vass wholesale account for 5 or 6 years, the reports of "charm" are real. The frequency of mistakes on orders rose dramatically after Rezso left, at least in my experience. The other interesting thing about ordering from Vass, whether wholesale or retail is the pricing. I honestly cant say I was ever confident I knew what the price of a given shoe was going to be before receiving the invoice as there appeared to be some "charm" involved there as well. I should note that this sometimes manifested in me being charged less than I should have. I also ordered a pair of cordovan Budapesters once and had the price go up 200 Euro while they were being made because they updated the price list...

Still, I have 10 or 12 pair now and really love most of them.

 

[Meyboom]

Even when made according to specifications there can be substantial differences. As is well known sizing can be quite different from one pair to another. And I have two pairs in antique cognac that are a totally different colour. Same goes for the finishing of the shoes where one pair can be better made than another... Like @bdavro23 points out even pricing is not consistent, Ive never paid the same price for similar pairs, sometimes being surprised at how low their price quote was. All part of the charm indeed

 

[maczach]

Even when made according to specifications there can be substantial differences. As is well known sizing can be quite different from one pair to another. And I have two pairs in antique cognac that are a totally different colour. Same goes for the finishing of the shoes where one pair can be better made than another... Like @bdavro23 points out even pricing is not consistent, Ive never paid the same price for similar pairs, sometimes being surprised at how low their price quote was. All part of the charm indeed

Quite right, poor consistency between pairs... visiting their shop seems to be the best if you could fly all the way to Budapest LOL

 

[LThomsen]

Having had a Vass wholesale account for 5 or 6 years, the reports of "charm" are real. The frequency of mistakes on orders rose dramatically after Rezso left, at least in my experience. The other interesting thing about ordering from Vass, whether wholesale or retail is the pricing. I honestly cant say I was ever confident I knew what the price of a given shoe was going to be before receiving the invoice as there appeared to be some "charm" involved there as well. I should note that this sometimes manifested in me being charged less than I should have. I also ordered a pair of cordovan Budapesters once and had the price go up 200 Euro while they were being made because they updated the price list...

Still, I have 10 or 12 pair now and really love most of them.
[/QUO
When did Rezso leave?
I ordered a pair of oxfords from vass last fall and they were very nice especially for the price. At that time they were offering free shipping. I just checked and the vass website is not up.

 

[mebiuspower]

Quite right, poor consistency between pairs... visiting their shop seems to be the best if you could fly all the way to Budapest LOL

I've only purchased my Vass (3 pairs) from visiting their store, trying them on first and pay cash. I even had the chance to meet Rezso.

Obviously this is not feasible in today's climate but Budapest have so many handmade shoe shops it's worth the visit for shoe lovers. It's a great city also with lots of history.

 

[Noblekostas]

I've only purchased my Vass (3 pairs) from visiting their store, trying them on first and pay cash. I even had the chance to meet Rezso.

Obviously this is not feasible in today's climate but Budapest have so many handmade shoe shops it's worth the visit for shoe lovers. It's a great city also with lots of history.

I met Reszo in the London Trunk Show last year. Very nice person! Glad to see he started his own line now! I have been itching to visit Budapest for a while now, but traveling at this moment is ehm...not a great idea.

 

[classybison]

Personally not a fan of the Vass charm at the moment, just got a pair in (44.5 F) that is noticeably tighter than a pair in the same size and last that I tried on previously.

These are a fight to get on my feet and painful once they're on, but when I tried them on in a store the 45 had some slippage while the 44.5 was still snug but not uncomfortably so.

I love how they look and the quality of the construction of course, but I'm resigning to return these and look elsewhere (maybe AM or C&J) in the immediate future because I can't trust the sizing.

 

[Meyboom]

Personally not a fan of the Vass charm at the moment, just got a pair in (44.5 F) that is noticeably tighter than a pair in the same size and last that I tried on previously.

These are a fight to get on my feet and painful once they're on, but when I tried them on in a store the 45 had some slippage while the 44.5 was still snug but not uncomfortably so.

I love how they look and the quality of the construction of course, but I'm resigning to return these and look elsewhere (maybe AM or C&J) in the immediate future because I can't trust the sizing.

This has often been discussed on this thread and I've had the same experience with both the F and U last. But it keeps surprising me that sizing is still not consistent. Nowadays Enzo Bonafe is my first choice, similar quality of construction and more consistency in sizing and finishing. And EB's lasts are better suited to my high instep as well.

 

[SimonC]

This has often been discussed on this thread and I've had the same experience with both the F and U last. But it keeps surprising me that sizing is still not consistent. Nowadays Enzo Bonafe is my first choice, similar quality of construction and more consistency in sizing and finishing. And EB's lasts are better suited to my high instep as well.

How long have you worn EB for; when you say construction is similar do they handle use and wear as well as Vass does?

 

[Meyboom]

How long have you worn EB for; when you say construction is similar do they handle use and wear as well as Vass does?

My oldest pair of EB is about 5 years old, a full brogue oxford in etrusco calf on dainite sole. This is without a doubt the pair that I have worn most of my entire shoe collection. They hold up great, since they are on dainite there is no need for a resole and the uppers are still in perfect condition. So yes I think EB shoes are very well made and handle use and wear just as well as Vass. I do think however that the leather soles of Vass (JR soles) are sturdier than the ones used by EB, but most of my EB are either dainite or have factory installed topy.

 

[bamgrinus]

Could I get some sizing advice on the P2 and BP lasts? I'm a 12.5 UK in Carmina Forest, 13D in Alden Barrie.

 

[aj2603]

So, if I put in a UK address, it is deducting VAT and charging outside EU shipping charges.

So, anyone has any idea if VAT / any other duty will have to be paid during delivery ?